Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Auchenipteridae (Driftwood catfishes) > Auchenipterinae
Etymology: Epapterus: Greek, ep, epi = over, high + Greek, pteron = wing, fin.
More on author: Cope.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Subtropical; 20°C - 22°C (Ref. 2060)
South America: Central and western parts of the Amazon basin along and south of the main channel of Amazon River, and Paraguay River basin in Paraguay, northern Argentina and southern Brazil.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 15.4 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 111728); max. published weight: 43.00 g (Ref. 111728)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 2 - 3; Anal soft rays: 54 - 61; Vertebrae: 48 - 50. Distinct, irregularly-shaped, patch of dark pigmentation on each caudal-fin lobe which contrasts with the dark transverse bar extending from the upper anterodorsal margin of the dorsal lobe of the caudal fin to the posterior margin of the middle rays of the dorsal lobe; lack of a distinct patch of dark pigmentation on the ventral lobe of the caudal fin. Nuptial males have highly developed dorsal spine with well developed basal and distal anterior projections, modifications.
Inhabits the lower part of larger rivers (Ref. 6868). Nocturnal, plus active during dusk and dawn. Feeds on smaller fish.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Vari, R.P. and C.J. Ferraris Jr., 1998. The neotropical catfish genus Epapterus Cope (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae): a reappraisal. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 111(4):992-1007. (Ref. 28844)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.7500 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00933 (0.00524 - 0.01663), b=3.09 (2.93 - 3.25), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 4.2 ±0.73 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
